The term MSA was first used in 1996. Until
then three different diseases were described to cover the range of symptoms
seen:
- striatonigral
degeneration – predominantly Parkinson’s-like symptoms
- Shy-Drager
syndrome – Parkinson’s-like symptoms as well as failure of autonomic functions
- olivopontocerebellar
atrophy – progressive inability to coordinate muscles for
gait and arms, as well as speech.
As the different names caused confusion it was
agreed by medical consensus in 1996 to use the
term MSA.
